($1,229) Moving from Des Moines to Santa Ana

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Santa Ana costs $1,072 to $7,063 and takes four-fifteen days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,681-mile move yourself.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Des Moines will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Santa Ana to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Santa Ana moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Santa Ana is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Santa Ana.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,229 - $4,862 $1,081 - $2,585 $1,053 - $2,003
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,388 - $7,063 $1,966 - $3,736 $1,072 - $2,243
4+ bedrooms $5,962 - $10,588 $2,762 - $5,325 $1,394 - $2,801
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,681 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Santa Ana

The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Santa Ana can be as low as $1,229 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $10,057.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,053 to $2,688. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Santa Ana will cost between $1,229 to $4,862. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,388 to $7,063, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Santa Ana will cost from $5,962 to $10,588.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

Moving containers from Des Moines to Santa Ana will cost you $1,081 to $2,585 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,966 to $3,736. A larger home will cost $2,762 to $5,325.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,053 to $2,003. A larger move will cost $1,072 to $2,243, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Santa Ana costs from $1,394 to $2,801. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Santa Ana

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Santa Ana

Des Moines Santa Ana
Average rent cost $1,150 $2,730
Average home value $192,347 $756,873
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $77,283
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $0
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $0
Unemployment rate 5.9% 7.0%
Sales Tax 7.0% 9.25%
State Income Tax 4.4% 13.3%
  • Rent prices in Santa Ana are 137% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Santa Ana are 293.5% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Santa Ana is 32.1% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Santa Ana is 100.0% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Santa Ana is 100.0% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Santa Ana is 18.64% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Santa Ana are 32.14% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Santa Ana are 202.27% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $0.00 in Santa Ana to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How is life different in Des Moines compared to Santa Ana?

Santa Ana Des Moines
Population 310,227 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 5
Walkability score 67 45
Bike friendliness score 62 39
Crime Index 29.06 5.0
Safety Index 44.38 57.8
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Santa Ana's population is about 56% less than Des Moines.
  • Santa Ana's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Santa Ana is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Santa Ana is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 62 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Santa Ana's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 29.06 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 29.06% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Santa Ana is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 44.38 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Santa Ana is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Santa Ana

  • Weather: Santa Ana has hot, dry summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Santa Ana. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Des Moines movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.42 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154

Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Santa Ana

Now that you've decided to make the move to "", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Santa Ana.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Fairbridge Square
  • South Coast
  • Park Santiago
  • Sanpointe
  • Meredith Parkwood

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Meredith Parkwood
  • Fairbridge Square
  • West Grove Valley
  • South Coast

What to do in Santa Ana

These are some of the best things to do in your new California home.

  • Bowers Museum
  • Lyon Air Museum
  • Discovery Cube Orange County
  • Kellogg House
  • Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
  • Main Place Mall
  • Firestorm Freerunning
  • Heritage Museum of Orange County
  • Blinking Owl Distillery
  • Fairhaven Memorial Park Mortuary
  • Network Brewery

Get your sports on!

Santa Ana is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Santa Ana is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Santa Ana?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Santa Ana in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Des Moines to Santa Ana take?

The 1,681-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Santa Ana, CA, takes four-fifteen days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Santa Ana.

Helpful moving resources